House shopping is time-consuming and stressful. It becomes much more complicated when you have to factor in kids and their requirements. To make the house a home, it has to be comfortable for the kids as well. Their opinion on the choice of the house counts as well. However, there are some must-haves for a home with kids. These essentials will guide you when screening for dwellings. You can check off those that do not meet that minimum requirement. They include;
Presence of other Families in the Neighborhood
It is not advisable to raise kids in neighborhoods where there are no other kids. At their tender age, kids need to run around with friends their age, interact, and learn from one another. A neighborhood where you are the only family with kids means that your kids have to spend most of their time on screens, which could affect their health. Their outdoor activities are also limited, which increases their chances of being obese. You can quickly tell a family neighborhood by looking for things such as a play area, kid’s bicycles, play toys on the front yards, and basketball courts.
The Character of the Neighbors
Who are the neighbors? Take your time and gather information about the neighborhood. Investigate the crime rate in the area or any other questionable activities such as drug abuse. If they are prevalent in the area, head to movoto and find a home in a suitable neighborhood. Growing your kids in a community that has high violence and crime rate affects them in various ways. They can easily fall into bad company and take up activities like drug abuse or even crime. Alternatively, they may develop mental health problems due to the trauma that comes from a crime-filled neighborhood.
Quality Schools
It would be pointless to buy a perfect home in an area where your children do not get a quality education. Before picking any house as a prospect, check for areas with high-performance schools. That will influence the district you choose. According to previous statistics, homes with good schools sell at a higher price. Thus, be prepared to dig a little deeper into your pockets. Also, consider the length of the commute. It is impractical to have a long commute between the home and the school. Schools, where your children can easily walk or cycle to school, should be at the top of your list.
Safety of the House
How safe are your children in that house? There are houses with specific design elements that are safety hazards for children. These include designs like a steep open staircase that a toddler can easily fall off. While some models bring aesthetic to the house, they are impractical for a home with kids. Also, consider the ages of the kids. Young toddlers who can barely walk should not be in an environment with a pool. They are yet to learn how to swim, which could mean instant drowning if they wander off unsupervised. While such areas could be baby-proofed using baby gates, consider the cost of baby proofing the whole house. Maybe it might be more affordable to get a home that is safe for kids.
House Design and Layout
Several considerations go into designing a family home. One of them is provision for kid’s play areas. These play areas are away from areas that require quiet such as the living room. For safety reasons, you may also prefer to sleep on the same level with your kids. Thus if the master bedroom is upstairs, the kid’s rooms are also upstairs.
Apart from the layout, also consider the size. If you are expecting to have more kids, you need to get more space to accommodate them. Also, view the number of facilities such as bathrooms. Most kids want a bathroom of their own, and you may also enjoy the convenience of your private bathroom. All these requirements come at a cost. You may need to part with a little more money. Thus, get all the mortgage advice you need to finance a comfortable home for your family.
The Size of the Backyard
Having kids dictates that you have a spacious backyard where they can play around. At their tender age, kids are lovers of the outdoor space. Get a yard that they can play comfortably and burn all that pent up energy. This will ensure they get better sleep and thrive. That home defines the quality of their life.
Kids can be a complicated lot to deal with, as their opinions may not be concrete. However, try and gauge their list of must-haves in a home before moving. View listings of houses as a family to get an idea of the perfect home for all of you. Relocating to a house where they feel uncomfortable means that you will have to move again. This causes a waste of funds and time.
